Is Freeman The Future?

By RICK BROWNTHE LEDGER

Published: Sunday, December 16, 2012 at 12:01 a.m.

Last Modified: Monday, December 17, 2012 at 2:59 a.m.

NEW ORLEANS | When Josh Freeman was drafted in the first round of the 2009 NFL Draft, the Tampa Bay Bucs thought they had their quarterback of the future. Freeman was a kid with a powerful arm and uncanny elusiveness at 6 feet 6 inches that easily brought comparisons of Super Bowl-winning quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.

Freeman might still be that guy but the Bucs probably have more questions now about him than ever before.

Bucs head coach Greg Schiano is quick to point out that the head coach and the quarterback get far too much praise in victories and far too much criticism in the losses.

Freeman has thrown for 3,471 yards, 25 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. That is not spectacular but solid. Compared to earlier this year when he had 16 touchdowns and just five interceptions, however, the drop-off is noticeable. Those five consecutive games with a passer rating greater than 100 are a distant memory now.

It has to be maddening to see Freeman go from John Elway to Mark Sanchez all in the same season; sometimes in the same game.

Three plays from the Sunday's 41-0 loss to the New Orleans Saints illustrate Freeman's inconsistencies.

Trailing 7-0, the Bucs faced a third-and-3 from New Orleans' 44 when Freeman lofted a beautiful pass to Mike Williams who was guarded one-on-one by Patrick Robinson for a 24-yard completion.

Two plays later on second-and-10, Freeman took the snap and stared down tight end Dallas Clark. Jabari Greer jumped it for an interception. If Freeman had even glanced to his left, he would have seen his running back all alone in the flat.

Later in the second quarter, Freeman overthrew Williams, who had beaten the defense on a double move, for what should have been an easy touchdown. The next play, Freeman was intercepted.

Against the Saints, Freeman completed 26 of 47 passes for 279 yards and four interceptions. He did not throw a touchdown.

"It's kinda odd," Freeman said. The preparation (for the Saints) felt great. Certain little things that were going your way (earlier this year) are not going your way. We've got to get better as an offense. Me personally, I have to get better."

Granted, some miscues aren't on the quarterback. Some come from protection breakdowns which forces the quarterback to get rid of the football. Some are miscommunication on option routes where the quarterback thinks the receiver is going one way but he goes another.

Too many can get a coaching staff replaced.

This coaching staff doesn't have any ties with Freeman, who has one more year left on his rookie contract. If Schiano has seen enough, he can tell general manager Mark Dominik not to extend and let Freeman play out his contract in 2013. The gamble there is Freeman could revert back to 2010 where he had just six picks and 25 interceptions and it could cost the Bucs more money.

The Bucs also have to factor not having their two All-Pro guards protecting Freeman. The revamped offensive line has battled but not having Davin Joseph or Carl Nicks is a huge void.

Either way, count on a lot of evaluating of Freeman starting with the final two games.

Is he the long-term solution for the Bucs or is he just too inconsistent for the staff to take?

<p>NEW ORLEANS | When Josh Freeman was drafted in the first round of the 2009 NFL Draft, the Tampa Bay Bucs thought they had their quarterback of the future. Freeman was a kid with a powerful arm and uncanny elusiveness at 6 feet 6 inches that easily brought comparisons of Super Bowl-winning quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.</p><p>Freeman might still be that guy but the Bucs probably have more questions now about him than ever before.</p><p>Bucs head coach Greg Schiano is quick to point out that the head coach and the quarterback get far too much praise in victories and far too much criticism in the losses.</p><p>Freeman has thrown for 3,471 yards, 25 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. That is not spectacular but solid. Compared to earlier this year when he had 16 touchdowns and just five interceptions, however, the drop-off is noticeable. Those five consecutive games with a passer rating greater than 100 are a distant memory now.</p><p>It has to be maddening to see Freeman go from John Elway to Mark Sanchez all in the same season; sometimes in the same game.</p><p>Three plays from the Sunday's 41-0 loss to the New Orleans Saints illustrate Freeman's inconsistencies.</p><p>Trailing 7-0, the Bucs faced a third-and-3 from New Orleans' 44 when Freeman lofted a beautiful pass to Mike Williams who was guarded one-on-one by Patrick Robinson for a 24-yard completion. </p><p>Two plays later on second-and-10, Freeman took the snap and stared down tight end Dallas Clark. Jabari Greer jumped it for an interception. If Freeman had even glanced to his left, he would have seen his running back all alone in the flat.</p><p>Later in the second quarter, Freeman overthrew Williams, who had beaten the defense on a double move, for what should have been an easy touchdown. The next play, Freeman was intercepted.</p><p>Against the Saints, Freeman completed 26 of 47 passes for 279 yards and four interceptions. He did not throw a touchdown.</p><p>"It's kinda odd," Freeman said. The preparation (for the Saints) felt great. Certain little things that were going your way (earlier this year) are not going your way. We've got to get better as an offense. Me personally, I have to get better."</p><p>Granted, some miscues aren't on the quarterback. Some come from protection breakdowns which forces the quarterback to get rid of the football. Some are miscommunication on option routes where the quarterback thinks the receiver is going one way but he goes another.</p><p>Too many can get a coaching staff replaced. </p><p>This coaching staff doesn't have any ties with Freeman, who has one more year left on his rookie contract. If Schiano has seen enough, he can tell general manager Mark Dominik not to extend and let Freeman play out his contract in 2013. The gamble there is Freeman could revert back to 2010 where he had just six picks and 25 interceptions and it could cost the Bucs more money.</p><p>The Bucs also have to factor not having their two All-Pro guards protecting Freeman. The revamped offensive line has battled but not having Davin Joseph or Carl Nicks is a huge void.</p><p>Either way, count on a lot of evaluating of Freeman starting with the final two games.</p><p>Is he the long-term solution for the Bucs or is he just too inconsistent for the staff to take?</p><p>Stay tuned. This story is far from over.</p>